The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-27
The Longest English Reign.

In all the jubilee literature that has crowded
the newspapers the past week I have seen no
reference to the fact that Queen Vic.cra's reign
is really the longest in English history since the
conquest Three English sovereigns, Henry
III, Edward Ill and George III. occupied the
throne for more than fifty years. but none of
them actually exercised the kingly prerogative
SO long
Henry III succeeded his father the Infamous
King john in 1916 when he a boy of ten.
The kingdom governed by regents until
1927, when Henry declared his majority and
sumed the reins of government. He was twice
afterwards temporarily deprived of authority
by his barons. having been held virtual prison
er, for more than year. by Simon De Montfort.
He died in 1912, completing nominal reign
of more than ffty-six years. reduced, how
ever, by his minority and suspension from Of
fee, to an actual reign of less than forty-four
years.
On the Goth of January, 1927 Edward III
was duly crowned King of England though his
father, the Inflated Edward II. was still alive,
held prisoner by his Queen. Isabella. and her
paramount, Roger De Mortimer. The young
Kings title was first confirmed by the enforced
abdication of his father, followed, few weeks
later, by his murder. For three years Mortimer
and the Queen really governed the kingdom.
But in 1880, though but eighteen. Edward proved
himself a Plantagenet by leading band of his
mobiles through a secret passage, at midnight. to
seize Mortimer in his bedchamber, whom he
presently executed. shut up his mother a
convent for the rest of her life, and entered
actively upon a reign famed for its foreign
wars, it's bootless conauests, and the chivalrous
exploits of the Black Prince. Edward died in
1877, having completed the fftieth year of his-
reign, though, we have seen, having held
actual sway but for forty seven years.
1t was m ore than 400 years after the death of
Edward III before 'the divinity that doth hedge
a king" permitted another elish ruler to reach
the jubilee year. On the 25th of October, 1850,
a young man of twenty-five, riding in the neigh
borhood of Kew. heard of the sudden death of
his grandfather old George II. by which event
he became Gsorge III: and on the 25th of Octo-
Der, 1910, his subjects duly and loyalty celebrat
ed the fiftieth anniversary of his accession. He
reigned nearly nine years longer, or until JAM
90, 1920. making the longest reign in English
history; but perhaps few need be told that dur
ing those last nine years George III was King
only in name.
On Oct 90. 1870 just four days after the jubi-
lee celebration, Mr.. Perceval wrote the Speaker
of the House of Commons that his Majesty was
in such state of mind to be incapable of
signing the commission proroeuing Parliament.
Nov. 2 the King was under restraint; and in the
following February the Prince of Wales APP
pointed Regent from that time virtually reign
ing in his fathers stead.
Prior to this last attack, the King had, on
three severa. occasions been declared insane,
aggregating several months of ncapacity, during
part of which time the Prince acted as Regent.
So that of his sixty years reign. George III act
ually ruled England for less period than
his illustrious granddaughter has already done.
It adds something to the distinction that Victo-
ria's name will wear down the ages that her
reign has been the longest. as we'll as the most
glorious and most benefcent in English history.
In all the 800 years since the Norman duke
crossed the British channel there have been
only four jubilee years; yet two of them have
fallen in this century. Perhaps this only proves
the superior longevity of the house of Hanover;
but we like to consider it evidence that even
kings live longer and fare better in our pro-
Rressive age than in the days when they had
more power and their subjects less liberty
j. @. DoNNELL.